Receiving Ashes

While the earth is still winter quiet, 
farmers burn their fields so that ashes 
will warm the ground and melt 
into nutrients with the spring rains.  

“Remember, thou art dust and to dust …”
We celebrate this annual festival 
of examination and compunction
with the quickening of spring
for the sake of sacrifice; self-restraint.

Of course, this risks us making a mistake, 
that self-denial is all willpower 
rather than softening under God’s grace.

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